CULTURE
CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
Cultural sensitivity means being aware that
cultural differences and similarities exist
and have an effect on values, learning,
and behavior.
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY RELATED TOPICS
WHAT IS CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE
11 QUESTIONS ON CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY LINKS
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 1
CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
Consciousness and understanding of the morals, standards, and
principles of a specific culture, society, ethnic group or race,
joined by a motivation to acclimate to one's actions with such.
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY:
"Cultural sensitivity is highly important when visiting a foreign
country for the first time."
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
https://psychologydictionary.org/cultural-sensitivity/
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 2
CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
RELATED
TOPICS
COUNTERCULTURE
https://psychologydictionary.org/counterculture/
CULTURAL BLINDNESS
https://psychologydictionary.org/cultural-blindness/
CULTURE
https://psychologydictionary.org/culture/
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
https://psychologydictionary.org/cultural-relativism/
OTHER-DIRECTED
https://psychologydictionary.org/other-directed/
CULTURAL DRIFT
https://psychologydictionary.org/cultural-drift/
ETHNIC DRIFT
https://psychologydictionary.org/ethnic-drift/
CULTURAL GENOCIDE
https://psychologydictionary.org/cultural-genocide/
MULTICULTURALISM 1
https://psychologydictionary.org/multiculturalism-1/
YOUTH CULTURE
https://psychologydictionary.org/youth-culture/
THE SEVEN
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
http://www.ocs.cnyric.org/webpages/phyland/global_10.cfm?subpage=19595
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 3
WHAT
IS
CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY?
Cultural sensitivity is being aware that cultural differences and
similarities between people exist without assigning them a value
positive or negative, better or worse, right or wrong.
It simply means that you are aware that people are not all the same
and that you recognize that your culture is no better than any other
culture. A challenge, if you ask me, for members of dominant cultures.
What is Cultural Sensitivity in the Context of a Dominant Culture?
In life and work environments we frequently face situations where there
is a dominant and a secondary culture. For instance, in the U.S. the
European American is the dominant culture whereas Hispanic, African
American and Chinese cultures are all secondary.
Cultural sensitivity implies that both groups understand and respect each
other’s characteristics. This is always a challenge, and even more so in
large corporations where the dominant culture is the one employees are
expected to adopt.
Definition of each stage of intercultural sensitivity
Let’s take a look at the meaning of each one of these stages.
Ethnocentric stages of intercultural sensitivity
These three stages are:
Denial
Defense
Minimization
Denial:
At this stage of cultural sensitivity, people don’t recognize cultural
differences and experiences.
They believe their culture is the only “real” one and they tend to interact
in homogenous groups and to stereotype everyone else.
Example:
People who say, “We are all the same and I don’t understand why we have to
learn about the different groups in the company. Why don’t they just learn
how we do things in America?”
Defense:
At the defense stage of cultural sensitivity, people recognize some differences,
but see them as negative because they assume their culture is the most evolved,
the best one.
Example:
People who say, “In Latin America you can’t just get to the point and talk business.
They want to tell you their life story. I don’t understand why they can’t just learn
to be more direct and save everybody time.”
Minimization:
Individuals at this stage of cultural sensitivity are unaware that they are projecting
their own cultural values. They see their own values as superior. They think that the
mere awareness of cultural differences is enough.
These people think we are all the same because we are more similar than different and,
in the end, we all have similar physical, biological, psychological needs etc.
They think they are wonderful because they see people as people but they are actually
denying the influence of culture in every person’s experience.
Example:
Statements such as, “In the end, we all want to be liked,” or, “We are all people.”
Ethnorelative stages of
intercultural sensitivity
The three ethnorelative stages of
intercultural sensitivity are:
Acceptance
Adaptation
Integration
Let’s see what they look like.
Acceptance:
At this stage of cultural sensitivity people are able to shift perspectives
to understand that the same “ordinary” behavior can have different meanings
in different cultures. They are able to identify how experiences are
influenced by one’s culture.
They may not agree or even like the differences they observe but they are
interested in finding out and learning about another culture.
Example:
People who approach others with genuine interest and curiosity about how they
experience the same situations. They ask questions such as, “How do Dominicans
do it?” or, “What would your family do in a situation like this?”
Adaptation:
Individuals who are at this stage of cultural sensitivity become more competent
in their ability to communicate with other cultures.
They can evaluate other people’s behavior from these people’s frame of reference
and can adapt behavior to fit the norms of a different culture.
Example:
People who seamlessly interact with others from different cultures by following
the norms of that culture. They feel that they can respect their own values while
adapting to the values of other cultures they interact with. They use empathy
effectively.
For instance, people who bow at the right time when interacting with Japanese
clients or naturally expect their Mexican guests forty-five minutes after the
scheduled start time of a party.
Integration:
People who are at this stage of cultural sensitivity are able to shift easily
from one cultural frame of reference to another. They develop empathy for other
cultures.
People who are equally comfortable with one culture or another.
Example:
This stage is easy to see with perfectly bilingual/bicultural individuals who
almost change their personality when they interact with one group (their family,
for instance) or another (their Anglo co-workers, for instance) but they are
equally genuine in both situations.
What is Cultural Sensitivity?
https://redshoemovement.com/what-is-cultural-sensitivity/
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 4
CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
SKILLS IN
THE WORKPLACE
As U.S. workplaces become more diverse, cultural sensitivity becomes
more essential. An insensitive remark about a colleague's culture can
create resentment and distrust that don't go away. Insensitivity can
make company statements that value diversity look hypocritical. Having
the skills to work with people of different cultures is key.
What Is Cultural Sensitivity?
Cultural awareness is knowing that there are multiple different cultures
based on religion, ethnicity, nationality and other factors – that have
different attitudes and outlooks. Cultural sensitivity involves accepting
those differences without insisting your own culture is better, or that
everyone should do it your way. Cultural-sensitivity skills are sometimes
called cultural competence, or the ability to work alongside people with
different cultural attitudes and behaviors and to do so.
Embracing Diversity in the Workplace
Cultural sensitivity is a means of embracing diversity in the workplace.
This means more to your business than simply being considerate of one
another. Diversity brings positive benefits to your bottom line.
A workforce with many different cultural backgrounds and frames of
reference is one that can reach out to many different communities
and turn them into clients for your business.
Emphasizing diversity in your hiring process at the front end of your
operations may mean a broader market and more sales at the "business
end" of your business.
Communications Skills and Training
Communicating in a diverse, multicultural environment can be awkward. For
example, someone might make a sweeping and inappropriate generalization to
a coworker about what "his people" are like, causing discord. More subtle
problems can involve the differences in how people from different cultures
communicate.
A gesture that's acceptable in one culture might be meaningless or offensive
in another. What’s considered the "normal" space between two people standing
and talking is different in different societies. In some cultures, criticizing
or correcting your boss openly is much less acceptable than it is in the United
States.
Posters or employee handbooks can provide employees with some basic guidelines,
explaining what the employer expects. In some cases, training sessions might be
necessary so that employees can avoid treading on cultural landmines.
Team Building and Cooperation
Building and running teams are valuable professional skills. Doing this in a
multicultural workplace is more challenging and more valuable. A team-builder
has to communicate well and be aware of cultural conflicts that crop up, even
subtle ones. The team builder also has to be aware of her own biases, and accept
that in a cultural disagreement, one culture's values aren't automatically correct.
When To Be Flexible
Flexibility in dealing with cross-cultural matters is another valuable skill. For
instance, in the United States, we often take for granted that we typically don’t
have to work on national holidays such as Christmas and Independence Day. Cultural
sensitivity includes respecting other people's important days and realizing that
they might need them off.
If there are instances when you have to be inflexible, you need to communicate why.
Some cultures are more relaxed than others with less clockwatching. If you need
someone to complete their tasks on an airtight schedule, you need the communications
skills to explain why that's important.
Cultural Sensitivity Skills in the Workplace
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/cultural-sensitivity-skills-workplace-20375.html
Cultural
Sensitivity
in the Workplace
https://extension.psu.edu/cultural-sensitivity-in-the-workplace
Culture
Awareness
in the Workplace
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/culture-awareness-workplace-737.html
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 5
11 QUESTIONS
ON
CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
Are you being culturally sensitive?
Here are 11 different questions that you will want to ask yourself
to see if you are culturally relevant.
1. Are you committed to doing whatever it takes to learning the local language?
2. Do you dress like a respected man or women in your community?
3. Do you minister to your same gender?
4. Are you a student of the culture?
5. Do your local friends feel comfortable in your home?
6. Have you taken time to learn appropriate cultural behavior?
7. Do you respect the people and their culture – even if some areas
are hard to understand or agree with?
8. Have you taken time to try to understand your host culture before
arriving on location?
9. Are you studying all forms of the culture from music to cuisine?
10. Do you understand the important of honor & shame in your cultural
context?
11. Do you understand the cultural view of work?
From Christian ministry
11 Questions on Cultural Sensitivity
http://www.bamedu.com/11-questions-on-cultural-sensitivity/
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 6
CULTURALLY
RESPONSIVE
TEACHING
Principles for
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Culture is central to learning. It plays a role not only in communicating
and receiving information, but also in shaping the thinking process of
groups and individuals. A pedagogy that acknowledges, responds to, and
celebrates fundamental cultures offers full, equitable access to education
for students from all cultures.
Culturally Responsive Teaching is a pedagogy that recognizes the importance
of including students' cultural references in all aspects of learning.
Some of the characteristics of culturally responsive teaching are:
Positive perspectives on parents and families
https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/positive-perspectives-parents-and-families
Communication of high expectations
https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/communications-high-expectations
Learning within the context of culture
https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/learning-within-context-culture
Student-centered instruction
https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/student-centered-instruction
Culturally mediated instruction
https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/culturally-mediated-instruction
Reshaping the curriculum
https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/reshaping-curriculum
Teacher as facilitator
https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/teacher-facilitator
Culturally Responsive Teaching
https://www.brown.edu/academics/education-alliance/teaching-diverse-learners/strategies-0/culturally-responsive-teaching-0
BACK TO TOP
Qualities of
Culturally Sensitive
Teachers
https://sites.google.com/site/crmmprojectsite/Home/chapter-4--qualities-of-culturally-sensitive-teachers
Culturally
Responsive
CRM & M Handbook
https://sites.google.com/site/crmmprojectsite/Home
Cross
Cultural
Sensitivity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_cultural_sensitivity
Responding to
Questions of
Cultural Insensitivity
https://www.dartmouth.edu/~ide/support/responding.html
BACK TO TOP
SECTION 7
CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
LINKS
5 steps to becoming a culturally responsive teacher
https://www.teachaway.com/blog/5-steps-becoming-culturally-responsive-teacher
6 Ways Teachers can Foster Cultural Awareness in the Classroom
https://www.theedadvocate.org/6-ways-teachers-can-foster-cultural-awareness-in-the-classroom/
15 Culturally-Responsive Teaching Strategies
https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/culturally-responsive-teaching/
Being Culturally Sensitive about Cultural Insensitivity
https://www.globalcitizenyear.org/updates/being-culturally-sensitive-about-cultural-insensitivity/
A checklist to facilitate cultural awareness and sensitivity
https://jme.bmj.com/content/28/3/143
Cultural Insensitivity
https://katherinegscott.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/cultural-insensitivity/
Cultural Sensitivity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjWegDZCKzU
Cultural Sensitivity
https://www.slideshare.net/uyvillage/cultural-sensitivity
Culture in the Classroom
https://www.tolerance.org/culture-classroom
Diversity Toolkit: Cultural Competence for Educators
http://www.nea.org/tools/30402.htm
A Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept95/vol53/num01/A-Framework-for-Culturally-Responsive-Teaching.aspx
A Great example of cultural insensitivity
http://nativeopinion.com/blog/2016/1/31/a-great-example-of-cultural-insensitivity
The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness
https://discovercorps.com/blog/cultural-sensitivity-awareness/
Is cultural sensitivity sometimes insensitive?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1472946/
Real Life implications of Cultural Insensitivity
https://prezi.com/csneo0nftvvn/real-life-implications-of-cultural-insensitivity/
BACK TO TOP
30 Ways
to Become a
Culturally Sensitive Educator
https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/culturally-sensitive-educator/
How to Create
an Effective Cross-Cultural
Training Program
https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/Pages/010215-cross-cultural-training.aspx
In Business and Politics (Usually),
Cultural Sensitivity
Goes a Really Long Way
http://fortune.com/2016/03/10/in-business-and-politics-usually-cultural-sensitivity-goes-a-really-long-way/
BACK TO TOP
Subcultures List
http://subcultureslist.com/
Slur Words For Races
http://rsdb.org/races
BACK TO TOP
American Antiquarian Society
http://www.americanantiquarian.org/
Country based search engines
http://www.philb.com/countryse.htm
Minority Treaties
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_Treaties
BACK TO TOP
CULTURE-INDEX
CHARACTER COUNTS
CHARACTER EDUCATION
HOME
E-MAIL